GEN ST 199: The University Community
Every FIG includes a section of GEN ST 199: The University Community, a two-credit course graded Credit/No Credit, designed to assist you in your transition into the UW.
- Classes are facilitated by FIG Leaders, experienced undergraduates who serve as guides to the UW.
- You will get to engage in a variety of conversations on topics ranging from academic planning to campus diversity, with opportunities to engage in on- and off-campus social and extracurricular activities.
- You will get to take advantage of a new electronic portfolio tool to allow you to record and reflect on information regarding your past, present, and future.
Course Objectives
- Experience the campus as smaller and more manageable through the development of peer communities.
- Gain knowledge of the academic support resources available on campus and the ways in which they can be used as part of a strategy for success.
- Learn the standards required of college level work and how strategies for success will evolve from those used in high school.
- Take advantage of various opportunities for involvement and networking on campus.
- Translate your on-campus experiences into becoming active and engaged citizens within the larger community.
- Reflect upon and document the perceptions, experiences, and challenges related to your first-year experience.
Course Requirements
- Weekly Seminar: You are expected to come to class each week ready to participate in discussion and other activities of the day.
- Portfolio: The web-based portfolio project will provide you with a structured opportunity to reflect on your experiences and create plans for what you want to do and who you want to be. You will publish your portfolio and send its URL to the instructor. Items to be added to it will include:
Research and Discovery Project: This assignment will require you complete a mini-research project that begins with exploring the UW Libraries. You will then locate, review and present scholarly resources that we will use in an in-class activity. See the assignment handout for further details regarding what is due and when.
Arts Excursion: Through this experience our class will delve into the visual, literary and/or performing arts community on or off campus.
Intellectual Excursion: Through a lecture, seminar or similar event, our class will explore the intellectual community outside of traditional courses.
Interest Excursion: For this excursion you will take on an experience individually that enables you to explore an interest that you have and connect with others outside our FIG who share the same interest.
Grading Policy
General Studies 199 is a two-credit course, graded credit/no credit (CR/NC). In order to receive credit, you MUST actively participate in EACH weekly class session and complete ALL assignments. Emergency absences may be excused, but please notify me in advance of your absence.
The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation contact Disabled Student Services at (206) 543-8924/V, (206) 543-8925/TTY, (206) 616-8379 (FAX), or email at uwdss@u.washington.edu.
